

The stream can be adjusted to strike multiple targets at once, strike a single target with precision, or even destroy large amounts of material. This versatility means they can also be used as welding torches or cutting tools, and can create heat sources by firing at a large, solid object (like a rock). Phaser output can be adjusted in both area of effect and output: a typical hand phaser can be adjusted so that it will merely shock or stun a living organism, while the effects of higher settings range from burning, and disintegration to true vaporization. Though they seem to discharge in a continuous "beam", close observation reveals that phasers actually discharge a stream of pulsed energy projectiles into the target. There are several specific types of phasers used by the United Federation of Planets' Starfleet. Phasers come in a wide range of sizes, ranging from small arms to starship-mounted weaponry. Phasers are common and versatile phased array pulsed energy projectile weapons, first seen in the original Star Trek series and later seen or referenced in almost all subsequent films and television spin-offs. Phased array Pulsed energy projectile weapon For example, in Star Trek, a hand phaser can be set to "stun" or "kill". The intended effects may be non-lethal or lethal.


These directed-energy weapons emit energy in an aimed direction without the means of a projectile. The franchise depicts various weapons which fit the motif of the raygun, the most prominent of these being the "phaser".
